Shuga's: Two Decades of Flavor, Character, and Community
Some restaurants become popular. Some become institutions.
For more than two decades, Shuga’s has occupied its quirky corner on South Cascade, filling its dining room with hanging origami cranes, serving inventive cocktails, and pumping out gallons of the best soup in Colorado Springs every single day! If this is the first time that you have heard of Shuga’s, hold on and strap in, we are going to take you down memory lane… you will thank us later!!
Shuga’s was founded in 2001 by Alexius Weston, a then recent transplant, arriving from the Pacific Northwest. Having come from the hipster capital of the world, her idea was simple: create the kind of place she wished existed in Colorado Springs, a neighborhood hangout with great coffee, creative food, and cocktails that simply kick ass.
The concept quickly evolved beyond a coffee shop. Paninis appeared. Salads followed. Then came the dish that would become a local legend: the Spicy Brazilian Coconut Shrimp Soup. Trust us on this… the hype is real!
As legacy projects often do, Weston eventually decided to pass the torch in 2020, when, longtime employee Kevin D., (who began working at the restaurant in 2008), took the reins. Wanting to the next iteration to be as great as the first, Weston made absolute sure that Kevin understood every nuance of the business before officially passing it off, and Shuga’s never missed a beat!
While the Shrimp Soup tends to steal headlines, the Cuban Mojo has quietly built a devoted following of its own. Lucky for us, God invented the combo plate, and Shuga’s has a paired the Cuban Mojo with the Shrimp Soup in a Lunch and Brunch combo that was surely approved by a higher power.
*Insider Tip #1: The secret is to start with the Cuban Mojo sandwich, but to dunk it into the soup! Then, once you have devoured the coconut/shrimp-soaked sandwich, you finish off the soup, but now with the perfect ratio of broth to shrimp. Try it out and let me know what you think in the comments below. 👇
**Insider Tip #2: Start with the Mediterranean Fare Board. Hummus, olive tapenade, goat cheese, served with grilled Pita! So fire!
Looking to do some day-drinkin’? Well, long before craft cocktails were positioned as the forefront of modern American dining, Shuga’s was already experimenting. Today, drinks like the Lavender Blossom remain among the most popular items on the menu, while the Spanish Coffee continues to be a favorite for guests looking for a little pick-me-up with their afternoon buzz.
If you’re telling the story of Shuga’s, you’re really telling the story of the people who make it feel like home. Among those names, Ishhod Collins, deserves special attention. For years, Ishhod, know to locals as Ish, has been one of those rare hospitality professionals whose influence extends far beyond the walls of a restaurant. Ask enough people in Colorado Springs’ service industry and his name comes up repeatedly, not just as a bartender or hospitality professional, but as a mentor. Young bartenders, servers, managers, and restaurant owners have enjoyed pass-through conversation with Ish over the years, often walking away with advice, perspective, or a new way of thinking about hospitality. You can find Ish behind the bar on Saturday mornings and during the day throughout the week!
In a restaurant industry obsessed with what’s new, Shuga’s has succeeded by always remembering who it is. The menu evolves slowly and carefully and the atmosphere remains unmistakably Shuga’s, we love it!!
-Springs Things Staff